UAE buys 80 Rafale fighter jets from France in $19 billion deal

Europe, Middle East, News December 4, 2021 , by IRIA 1 Comment

The United Arab Emirates agreed to purchase 80 French-made Rafale fighter aircraft, making it the largest international fighter planes order ever.

The $19 billion agreement between the UAE and France was signed by Dassault Aviation’s Director-General Eric Trapier, as French President Emmanuel Macron held talks with Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the first day of his visit to the Gulf.

French President Macron is on a two-day tour to the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia from December 3-4.

France also has a permanent military base in the UAE, as French President Macron maintains a good relationship with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.

“The two leaders agreed to continue deepening their partnership for common security and to strengthen their cooperation in the fight against terrorism and extremism,” the French presidency said in a statement.

The statement added that the UAE is one of the biggest customers of the French defense industry and the country also agreed to purchase 12 Caracal military transport helicopters from France.

“This is an outcome of the strategic partnership between the two countries, consolidating their capacity to act together for their autonomy and security,” the statement said.

According to a parliamentary report, the UAE is already the fifth-largest customer of the French defense industry, reaching 4.7 billion euros from 2011 to 2020. However, the deal for the purchase of 80 Rafale aircraft marks the biggest international order for the fighter jet since it took the skies in 2004.

*^{Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan witnesses agreement signing ceremony with France in Abu Dhabi (Image Credit: Wam via Emirates247}*

Despite tough competition with American and other European manufacturers, Rafale has made significant breakthroughs in the international market. At present, the French defense company has six foreign customers including Greece, Croatia, India, Egypt, Qatar, and the UAE.

French president’s visit comes at a time when the Gulf states seek to acquire defense equipment amid uncertainty about the U.S. focus on the region.